Issue - meetings

To consider and establish the Hertfordshire Growth Board and Hertfordshire Growth Board Scrutiny Committee as formal joint committees under the Local Government Act 1972 and Local Government Act 2000.

The Executive considered a report seeking approval to proposed future governance arrangements for the Hertfordshire Growth Board, including the establishment of a Growth Board Joint Committee and Growth Board Scrutiny Committee as formal joint committees under the Local Government Act 1972 and Local Government Act 2000.

In response to a number of Members’ questions, the Borough Solicitor replied as follows:

·            The fact that the Growth Board Joint Committee would be a county-wide body considering large infrastructure projects may lessen the likelihood of schemes being called-in by the Government or being subject to holding directions, subject to the usual checks and balances in planning processes; and

·            No details had been provided as to the operation of the Advisory Sub-Groups mentioned in the report, although there was the possibility that these could include the existing North-East & Central and South-West Area Growth Corridor Boards.

The Executive supported an addition to Recommendation 2.2.4 in the report, requiring that the nomination of a Councillor and substitute to the Growth Board Scrutiny Committee should be delegated to the Leader, in consultation with the Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

It was RESOLVED:

1.          That the establishment of the Hertfordshire Growth Board Joint Committee as a Joint Committee (inaugural meeting being planned to take place in January 2021) be agreed.

2.          That the Leader of the Council be nominated as the Council’s representative on the Hertfordshire Growth Board Joint Committee with delegated authority to appoint a substitute representative as required.

3.          That Council be recommended to agree to the establishment of the Hertfordshire Growth Board Joint Committee as a Joint Committee (inaugural meeting being planned to take place in January 2021).

4.          That Council be recommended to adopt the Hertfordshire Growth Board Integrated Governance Framework into the Council’s Constitution.

5.          That Council be recommended to note that Leader of the Council is nominated as the Council’s representative on the Hertfordshire Growth Board Joint Committee with delegated authority to appoint a substitute representative as required.

6.          That the Council be recommended to delegate authority to the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, to nominate a Councillor and a substitute as its representative on the Hertfordshire Growth Board Scrutiny Committee (nominees must not be a Member of the Executive).

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.